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Rural & Agriculture

Recent rain has given crops across the district a massive boost.

Spring rains a godsend

LOCAL farmers are delighted after more than two inches of gentle rain fell across the district in recent weeks.

19 October, 2026

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Andrew Gill has been using AI to collate data on markets, weather, his paddocks and cashflow. Photo AAP.

Local News

Farmers adding AI to their toolkits

Forest Springs Merino Stud principal Bruce Dean among the rams offered at the stud’s 13th annual on-property sale at Joel Joel.

Good times return to sheep country

Poultry farmers and people with backyard chooks are urged to monitor their birds as the H5 bird flu strain moves closer to the Grampians.

Ararat News, Avoca News, Beaufort News, Stawell News

Bird flu edges closer to the Grampians

Local Farmers and residents are being asked to remain vigilant after almost 300 pregnant ewes were stolen from a property near Lexton.

289 ewes stolen from Lexton

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Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Environment Minister Murray Watt address the media in Canberra. Photo AAP.

Local News

Perfect mix: stage set for 'maximum' bird flu damage

Ararat’s Kelvin Donnan took top spot in AuctionsPlus' top throughput sheep assessor for the 2025-26 financial year.

Kelvin remains Australia’s top sheep assessor

Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards says many farm safety accidents occur because routine work and time pressures allows unsafe habits to form.

Local News

One life lost on farms every six days

Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins has introduced new legislation to protect Australia’s wine industry. Photo AAP.

Local News

Help to build a stronger wine industry

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Western Sydney University ecologist Adam Frew is part of the team building a database of fungi which could boost Australia’s food crops.

Local News

Tiny ancient fungi could slash Aussie fertiliser bill

Authorities are responding to more cases of bird flu in Australia, but say there's no need to panic.

Local News

Precautions urged as sixth bird flu case confirmed

Grants of up to 40 thousand dollars are available to encourage tree planting on farms. Photo AAP.

Local News

Planting more trees on farms

The new program will help livestock farmers better use existing data to benefit the health hand wellbeing of their animals.

Local News

Backing livestock farmers with better data

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